Burnett strikes out six in final spring tuneup
Right-hander gives up one run in five frames; Phillies manage just one hit
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- A.J. Burnett gave the Phillies five solid innings in his final Grapefruit League start, but Drew Hutchison was even better over 5 1/3 shutout frames, as the Blue Jays scratched out a 3-0 victory on Thursday afternoon at Bright House Field.
Burnett, Philadelphia's No. 2 starter, looked strong in his last tuneup before the regular season. He struck out six, walked one and scattered three hits in his fifth spring start. The right-hander's next outing will come Tuesday against the Rangers.
Burnett said there was "no question" that this was his best start of the spring.
"Today was a good day," he said. "I threw a lot of strikes and threw some good pitches all around."
Hutchison finished off an impressive spring with a 1.80 ERA over four starts. The right-hander allowed just one hit -- a single by Jimmy Rollins in the fourth-- and struck out three against three walks. He will get the ball again on Tuesday against the Rays in the second game of the regular season.
"I battled today, I wasn't really crisp," Hutchison said. "I got behind way too much, actually, but on days like that when you come back and make good pitches, it's a good sign ... You'd rather not [battle], but any time that you do and you come back and you still make competitive, good pitches, it's a good thing."
The Blue Jays scored their first run in the fourth. Jose Bautista led off with a single. Emilio Guerrero pinch-ran and stole second, advanced to third on a throwing error and scored on a sacrifice fly to center by Dioner Navarro.
Phillies starter Jonathan Pettibone, who is recovering from inflammation in his right shoulder, made his Grapefruit League debut with two scoreless innings in relief of Burnett. Pettibone previously pitched in a Minor League game on Saturday. He will open the season on the disabled list, but hopes to be activated by the end of April.
The Blue Jays plated two more in the eighth on a single by Gabe Jacobo. Phillies reliever Mario Hollands was charged with both runs.
With today's win on the final day of Grapefruit League play, the Blue Jays closed out their spring with a 14-13 record, and the Phillies finished 9-17.
Up next: The Phillies return to Citizens Bank Park for a 7:05 p.m. ET game against the Pirates on Friday. Kyle Kendrick will take the mound in his final tuneup for next week's start against the Rangers. Right-hander Charlie Morton will start for the Pirates. Watch the game for free on MLB.TV.